How to Throw an Alice in Wonderland Mad Tea Party Outdoors

Alice in Wonderland is a perfect summertime read. Whimsical and action-packed, it’s a kid-pleaser that won’t feel like they’re ho-humming their way through classic literature.

There’s so much fun to be had with this book, and it’s brilliant for reading together under a shade tree. If you struggle with Carroll’s poetry or made-up words, keep Google close by to help you translate. Our favorites are Twinkle, Twinkle Little Bat (because the Hatter is my Alice in Wonderland Boyfriend) and the Lobster Quadrille (because Will you Won’t you? Will You Won’t You? Will you join the dance?).

I’m telling you, my friends, this stuff is fun. F.U.N. And we’re about to make it even funner.

Alice in Wonderland Mad Tea Party

A great summer activity to get your kids outside and still reading is to throw a Mad Tea Party with Alice’s story as the main course.

As I may have mentioned, the Hatter and his scenes are my favorite parts of Alice in Wonderland. That’s because the tea party, while it may be riddled (see what I did there?) with nonsense and have a slightly sinister tone, is absolutely hilarious. Also, I’d still give just about anything to attend one.

Since the Hatter isn’t likely to invite me any time soon, I came up with my own version that my boys absolutely loved.

You can have your own crazy little outdoor luncheon. That lasts all day.

Find a suitable tree and set up a table under it

I don’t care if it’s that unused card table in the basement. Set up a table and chairs under a tree. If you don’t have trees in your yard, go to a park and pick a picnic table that’s under a tree.

You have to have a shade tree, y’all.

Set more places than you need, but place all the settings you’ll be using should be at one end of the table

Because it must seem as if there is No More Room At The Table. So even though there are only 3 of us, we set places for 6 or 8, then we all 3 sit crowded around one corner.

Because it’s fun, that’s why. It makes them laugh, and that laughter is golden.

If you’re table is too small (or your family too big) for extra settings, that’s okay. You’re still going to play musical chairs.

Set a tea tray

Load up a tray with tea and jam sandwiches (don’t forget the Very Best Butter). Use a fancy tray. Use a large plate. Use a piece of wood if that’s all you have, but make it seem special. If it’s a hot summer day, substitute lemonade or iced tea for the drink.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, make treacle since the Dormouse’s story includes treacle. Make tarts and pull from the Queen of Hearts scene.

Put Eat Me and Drink Me notices on all the treats.

It’s always teatime at this tea party

That means that every few minutes you have to jump up and switch seats. If you’ve set more places than you need, just move to the next place.

If you didn’t have room for that, just play musical chairs with each other’s seats.

Every time it’s tea time, you have to pick your seat, just like the characters in the book. So set a timer. I swear, this will have them in stitches.

Read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Or even just Chapter VII, A Mad Tea-Party. And you must absolutely discuss how a raven is like a writing desk. See what interesting similarities (if any) your littles can come up with.

IF your tea lasts longer than their attention span for the book (and how is that even possible?!) switch to other Lewis Carroll poems or a book of riddles.

Change seats

Because that’s the fun part. Do this while you’re reading, while you’re eating, while you’re discussing, while you’re taking a break.

Change seats again.

Um, because that’s the fun part.

I’m not making this up, there is no more hilarious way to enjoy true literature outside on a sunny day. Not only will a Mad Tea Party keep your kids interested in the story, it will create a wonderful memory that they will cherish all their lives.

So don’t wait. Grab your copy of Alice in Wonderland and get your awesome selves outside.

KT Brison is a former children’s librarian and educator who gave all that up for the most important job in her life—homeschooling her boys.Though she loves the outdoors and rambling around her farm, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. Any book. As long as it has words.

Related

GET A FREE PDF OF THIS POST

About KT Brison

KT Brison is a former children’s librarian and educator who gave all that up for the most important job in her life—homeschooling her boys. Though she loves the outdoors and rambling around her farm, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. Any book. As long as it has words.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

* Checkbox GDPR is required

*This form collects your name, email and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. (For more info see my privacy policy where you'll get more info on where, how and why I store your data.)